Fundamental study of piperacillin sodium in term and premature neonates

: Piperacillin sodium (PIPC) is a semisynthetic penicillin displaying high antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas sp., Proteus sp., etc. It acts bactericidally and is stable against beta-lactamases. The usefulness of PIPC in the treatment of infections in mature and premature neonates was investigated and the following results were obtained. The pharmacokinetics (half-life, distribution volume, total body clearance) of PIPC after 50 mg/kg intravenous drip infusion in 10 cases of neonates were examined. Relationship between T1/2 and hours after birth was clearly determined. Adverse effects and abnormality in laboratory test values were not observed. It is considered from the above results that PIPC may be an useful antibacterial agent for the treatment of infections in neonates.